Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Looking forward to new beginnings in 2013, and though 2012 was a struggle at times it was also a year of celebration and most importantly of restoration. I am truly grateful for the Lord's strength. I first want to start with celebration, one that stands out the most was the birth of my grandson Christopher OMG can I say I just adore this kid. He's got the cutest smile, and dimples you just can't resist.
The other most important celebration for me was a personal one, it was my commitment to God, it was about fellowship, and unity. It has been a wonderful year of just being a child of God, many may not understand this and that's alright, but for those of you who know me can truly appreciate what I'm about to share. I really love where I am at with my relationship with the Lord, it's not easy by any means and I struggle daily, but I seek strength from God.

In 2011 I decided I would choose a word to encourage me through out the year, it was GROW! When I first thought of this word honestly it was hobby related I wanted to grow in my creativity, brave the world of Design Teams and just submit. I did make a few teams, not only did I love where I was going in my creative process, but that October I began my commitment to focus on God. It was important for me to redevelop that relationship that I had I was determine that no one would break that bond. Easier said than done, I managed and I could see God's hand in my growth. We ended that year CELEBRATING in church, it was awesome.

In 2012 I chose the word STRONG this for me was a difficult word, but I knew that my God would give me the
strength to overcome any obstacles that may come and believe me 2012 was not an easy year for my family and I. There were many times I wondered how much more must I endure, but all the while
God gave me strength. I would be reminded of my word and the verse from Psalm
31:24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord. For a little while I gave up, had a really bad day and thought Lord this is it I'm not doing it no more I can't it's not fair. I am not SUPERWOMAN as Alicia Keys sings. I felt as though all hope was lost I decided I would go continue going to church but just not fellowship. I didn't want to open my heart to hurt, disappointments, or just not meeting to anyone's expectations. I really didn't want to be a part of, just tried to say to myself Just GOD that's all you need. Yeah okay, that was difficult as the pastor kept preaching UNITY it seemed week to week or Be Still and I would say Lord I'm here I'm not leaving just feel as I can't no I wont be part of. I will do my part and that's it. Yes this was the argument I would have with God, but the message was Unity. I think mostly I was afraid no I know I was. Then something happened one Sept. Saturday, some of the youth as well as Brother Jimmy & to my surprise his wife Martha came over to pick up some things to take to the church when all of the sudden Emily my daughter who is never awake on a Saturday at 9am said hey I'm making breakfast you staying right. In my head I'm like no, I need my time. I am so glad now looking back because even though Emily may not see it this way God used her to allow me to really know this couple, to share dreams and hopes that I would love to see in our church but I confessed to them I didn't want to be a part of, I didn't see or feel this UNITY it was at that moment I realized OMG Lord forgive me because I can see that I was part of this problem of not wanted to be a part of there was no Unity because in my heart I didn't want it because then it meant that I was part of. Can I say that I truly enjoy being a part of so much so that after spending a few days on my vacation I came back spoke to the pastor and said I want to be a part of this church once again. I knew that God was truly working in me He was giving me the courage and strength not to fear being a part to something great. I embraced UNITY, so much so that I cry as I write this because I truly see how God continues to mold me. I share this with you because it's my testimony of what God is doing in my life that all started with one little word Strong(2012).

This year my word is RESTORE, you see I want to allow God remove all the layers that bind my heart, my mind
and my spirit. I want Him to continue molding me, because I know that HE is
not yet finished with me. I want to continue growing, continue gaining strength
and want to be Restored! Oh I know it's not going to be easy, because it means
that He will break down the walls, but I know that in the end of the restoration
process there will be a joy that will be unimaginable. There will be a testimony
as to what the Lord has done in my life. I have also chosen this word because our church is now going through a restoration process I will be creating projects showing where not only have I been, but what has been rebuilt, renewed in our church. Unity wow I wish you can meet our church family we all this mission and it's starts with Restoring the old, but it's starts with me wanting now to be very much a part of because in the end of it all I want my God to say to me as in Matthew 25:21 “His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. I hope you are blessed by my testimony, I pray that in this new year God will restore to you joy. I know it's a long post, and my commitment(goal) this year is to try to blog regurlarly and share what God continues to do in my life. Here's a layout I created restoring our church chairs. If you have a word you want to share with me, maybe you can create a project to encourage you make it visible.

20 comments:

What a beautiful canvas! I love all the different fonts you used for the verse and the beauty of the bling, flower and doily! Thank you, Dolores, for the inspiration to commit to my word! I've chosen the word "enough" and just created a canvas for mine.

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